Washington Township youth football event will honor veterans

WASHINGTON TWP. — Rain or shine, the rescheduled Veterans Cup will go on this Sunday. While there won’t be the slew of scrimmage games that normally kick off Washington Township Youth Football’s season, the organization will focus on the original inspiration for the day — the veterans.

“The event is going to be as important, popular and fun as ever, obviously the first thing is paying tribute to the veterans,” Commissioner Charlie Doud said. “It’s grown into a fantastic event.”

Doud said that while the postponement, just one of the many problems Hurricane Irene caused for the county, put a damper on the initial day, he’s glad to still be able to pay tribute to the men and women who’ve served in the armed forces.

“[The veterans] are so thrilled to think that a very young generation, the kids that play, are able to not only recognize what they did, but meet them and make that connection,” Doud said.

A junior varsity game will start the day at 10 a.m. at the East Holly Field, and the ceremony will take place at noon. Team photos of the Minutemen and Patriots will be taking place throughout the day at the pavilion.

The rest of the event will also go on as planned, including presenting the Bobby Milward and Jeffrey Mosser awards, named after two young boys who died of cancer, to individuals who have shown courage and a dedication to young people.

A special tribute to a former member of the organization’s brother-in-law, who was killed during the 9/11 attacks, will take place as well.

“It hits home a little but, more, it’s important that we pay tribute to him,” Doud said. “It lends more to the magnitude of the day.”

This time, Doud said, the ceremony will go as planned despite any inclement weather. “We’re going to have it Sunday, even if its raining we’re going to deal with it,” he said.

When Doud started the annual event, he had no idea it would turn into such a highly-anticipated event. “This grew out of a hunch,” he said. “Never did I dream it would be this successful and this popular.”